§10–205.    IN EFFECT

    (a)    In this section, “compensation” includes stipends for transportation, training, and bonus payments.

    (b)    (1)    (i)    The county governing body shall provide sufficient funding to meet the minimum compensation levels required under this section.

            (ii)    Within the limits authorized by the county governing body, a local board may fix the compensation of election judges above the minimum compensation levels required under this section.

        (2)    A local board shall pay an election judge for:

            (i)    each course of instruction required under § 10–206(g)(1) of this subtitle that the election judge completes; and

            (ii)    each election day and each early voting day that the election judge actually serves.

        (3)    (i)    For each election judge who has not previously served as an election judge, the compensation for each election day and each early voting day actually served shall be at least $250 per day.

            (ii)    For each election judge who has previously served as an election judge, the compensation for each election day and each early voting day actually served shall be at least $100 more per day than the compensation provided to an election judge who has not previously served as an election judge.

        (4)    The compensation for each completed course of instruction required under § 10–206(g)(1) of this subtitle shall be at least $50.

    (c)    The State Board shall reimburse each local board for $50 of the extra compensation required under subsection (b)(3)(ii) of this section that is paid to each returning election judge.

    (d)    (1)    The State Board shall develop and provide to the local boards a marketing campaign to recruit individuals to serve as election judges in polling places in the State.

        (2)    The marketing campaign shall:

            (i)    disseminate information on the importance of election judges;

            (ii)    disseminate information on how to apply to be an election judge, eligibility requirements, and compensation; and

            (iii)    target diverse voter populations, including multilingual individuals.

§10–205.    ** TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2025 PER CHAPTER 504 OF 2024**

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

        (2)    “Compensation” includes stipends for transportation, training, and bonus payments.

        (3)    “Returning election judge” means an election judge who has served a term of office for the immediately preceding statewide election.

    (b)    (1)    (i)    The county governing body shall provide sufficient funding to meet the minimum compensation levels required under this section.

            (ii)    Within the limits authorized by the county governing body, a local board may fix the compensation of election judges above the minimum compensation levels required under this section.

        (2)    A local board shall pay an election judge for:

            (i)    each course of instruction required under § 10–206(g)(1) of this subtitle that the election judge completes; and

            (ii)    each election day and each early voting day that the election judge actually serves.

        (3)    (i)    For each election judge who is not a returning election judge, the compensation for each election day and each early voting day actually served shall be at least $250 per day.

            (ii)    For each returning election judge, the compensation for each election day and each early voting day actually served shall be at least $100 more per day than the compensation provided to an election judge who is not a returning election judge.

        (4)    The compensation for each completed course of instruction required under § 10–206(g)(1) of this subtitle shall be at least $50.

    (c)    The State Board shall reimburse each local board for $50 of the additional compensation required under subsection (b)(3)(ii) of this section that is paid to each returning election judge.